Vehicular camera with thermal interface material

ABSTRACT

A vehicular camera module for a vehicular vision system includes a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. A circuit board includes a circuit board substrate having electronic circuitry disposed thereat. A thermal interface material is molded at an inner surface of the housing. The front housing portion is attached at the circuit board and the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portion to encase the circuit board. The thermal interface material is formed to interface with electronic components of the circuit board and may conform with the electronic components at the circuit board substrate when the front housing portion is attached at the circuit board and/or when the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portion. A connector element in electrical contact with circuitry of the circuit board is configured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 62/814,942, filed Mar. 7, 2019, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle vision system for avehicle and, more particularly, to a vehicle vision system that utilizesone or more cameras at a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Use of imaging sensors in vehicle imaging systems is common and known.Examples of such known systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,949,331; 5,670,935 and/or 5,550,677, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties. Various cameras have beenproposed for such imaging systems, including cameras of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,965,336 and U.S. Publication No.US-2009-0244361, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a vision system or imaging system for avehicle that utilizes one or more cameras (preferably one or more CMOScameras) to capture image data representative of images exterior of thevehicle. The camera comprises an imager and a circuit board (or circuitboards) and a lens. A thermal interface elastomer or element is moldedinto the lens holder or lens assembly (and/or optionally the rearhousing portion of the camera housing), with the elastomer formed with ageometric shape that is pressed against the circuit board duringassembly of the camera. The thermal interface elastomer comprises athermally conductive material and may be molded onto the lens holderside of the circuit board and/or on the housing side of the circuitboard.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle with a vision system thatincorporates a plurality of exterior viewing cameras;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera suitable for use in the visionsystem; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the camera, showingthe thermal interface material disposed at the PCB and housing inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle vision system and/or driver assist system and/or objectdetection system and/or alert system operates to capture images exteriorof the vehicle and may process the captured image data to display imagesand to detect objects at or near the vehicle and in the predicted pathof the vehicle, such as to assist a driver of the vehicle in maneuveringthe vehicle in a rearward direction. The vision system includes an imageprocessor or image processing system that is operable to receive imagedata from one or more cameras and provide an output to a display devicefor displaying images representative of the captured image data.Optionally, the vision system may provide display, such as a rearviewdisplay or a top down or bird's eye or surround view display or thelike.

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a vehicle 10 includes an imaging system or vision system 12that includes at least one exterior viewing imaging sensor or camera,such as a rearward viewing imaging sensor or camera 14 a (and the systemmay optionally include multiple exterior viewing imaging sensors orcameras, such as a forward viewing camera 14 b at the front (or at thewindshield) of the vehicle, and a sideward/rearward viewing camera 14 c,14 d at respective sides of the vehicle), which captures images exteriorof the vehicle, with the camera having a lens for focusing images at oronto an imaging array or imaging plane or imager of the camera (FIG. 1).Optionally, a forward viewing camera may be disposed at the windshieldof the vehicle and view through the windshield and forward of thevehicle, such as for a machine vision system (such as for traffic signrecognition, headlamp control, pedestrian detection, collisionavoidance, lane marker detection and/or the like). The vision system 12includes a control or electronic control unit (ECU) 18 that includes animage processor and associated software, with the image processor beingoperable to process image data captured by the camera or cameras. TheECU, responsive to image processing by the image processor of capturedimage data, may detect objects or the like and/or provide displayedimages at a display device 16 for viewing by the driver of the vehicle(although shown in FIG. 1 as being part of or incorporated in or at aninterior rearview mirror assembly 20 of the vehicle, the control and/orthe display device may be disposed elsewhere at or in the vehicle). Thedata transfer or signal communication from the camera to the ECU maycomprise any suitable data or communication link, such as a vehiclenetwork bus or the like of the equipped vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, a camera module 14 comprises a lens 24 disposed in alens barrel 25 at a lens holder 22 (or front camera housing portion), animager disposed at a printed circuit board 30 with associated circuitry,and an electrical connector 28 for electrically connecting the circuitryand imager to a vehicle connector when the camera is disposed at thevehicle. The camera may include a second or connector printed circuitboard disposed in the housing 26 and electrically connected to theimager printed circuit board 30. The vehicle camera may be compact insize with reduced components, and with reduced cost and short or reducedmanufacturing cycle times. The vehicle camera may also provide scalablearchitecture and customer independent technology (such as directconnect, pigtail connector, brackets and/or the like) so that the camerais readily adaptable for different applications.

As shown in FIG. 3, the camera module 14 of the present inventioncomprises a thermal interface element or material disposed between thehousing and the PCB and components disposed at the PCB. The thermalinterface material may comprise a two-shot, thermally conductive, rubberover-mold that creates a more intimate interface between the thermalinterface material and the housing. For example, the front housingportion or lens holder may comprise a plastic molded housing portion andthe thermal interface material may be molded onto the inner surface ofthe plastic molded housing as a second shot or second molding process.Optionally, the lens holder or front housing portion may comprise ametal housing portion and the thermal interface material may be moldedonto the inner surface of the metal housing portion. The thermalinterface material may be contoured or formed to align better withvarying component heights and even to contact the PCB substrate ifneeded while minimizing the stresses that arise with use of a single orconstant height pad and the varying component heights. The thermalinterface elastomer may be molded at the lens holder or front housingportion and may have a custom geometric shape or form that is pressedagainst the PCB. The camera may be otherwise assembled in a knownmanner.

Although described as having the thermal interface elastomer at the lensassembly side of the PCB, the thermal interface elastomer may also orotherwise be disposed at the housing side of the PCB. For example, thecamera module may also or otherwise comprise a thermal interface elementor material disposed between the rear housing portion and the PCB andcomponents disposed at the rear side of the PCB. The thermal interfacematerial may comprise a two-shot, thermally conductive, rubber over-moldthat creates a more intimate interface between the thermal interfacematerial and the inner surface of the rear housing portion. For example,the rear housing portion may comprise a plastic molded housing portionand the thermal interface material may be molded onto the inner surfaceof the plastic molded housing as a second shot or second moldingprocess. Optionally, the rear housing portion may comprise a metalhousing portion and the thermal interface material may be molded ontothe inner surface of the metal housing portion. The thermal interfacematerial may be contoured or formed to align better with varyingcomponent heights and even to contact the PCB substrate if needed whileminimizing the stresses that arise with use of a single or constantheight pad and the varying component heights. The thermal interfaceelastomer may be molded at the rear housing portion and may have acustom geometric shape or form that is pressed against the rear side ofthe PCB. The thermal interface elastomer may engage and conform to theelectronic components (e.g., a processing chip or image processor or thelike) at the rear side of the PCB substrate as the rear housing portionis mated with the front housing portion to encase the PCB in the camerahousing.

The thermal interface material or element or elements thus may replacethe known hand-placed silicone thermal pads, whereby the camera may beeasier to assemble, with enhanced contact or interface with the partbody, and more flexibility for variable housing geometry and PCBcomponent heights. The thermal interface material may comprise anysuitable material, such as, for example, a low durometer rubber materialwith a thermally conductive filler. Prior constructions are notcompliant enough to completely conform or deform out to the sides ofcomponents on the PCB and could actually be held away from the PCB alltogether by the components. The system and thermally conductiveinterface material allows for custom molding the thermal material or pador element so it can bypass the components and reach the board betweenthe components (i.e., it is easily conformable or deformable so as toconform to the components at the opposing side of the circuit boardsubstrate and flow or deform sufficiently so as to substantially envelopor encase the components and contact the circuit board substrate). Priorsystems are difficult to implement, especially at the front of camerasbecause they may adversely affect focus and even interfere with theimagers. The system of the present invention retains the imager where itis intended as the thermally conductive interface material is attachedto the front housing.

During assembly of the camera module, the PCB, with the imager disposedthereat, is positioned at the lens holder or lens barrel, and a bead ofadhesive may be disposed at the PCB. The PCB and lens holder may beplasma treated before the adhesive is applied to provide the benefit ofa cleaning the imager surface. The PCB is then adhered to the lensholder, and the lens is centered and optically aligned at the imager,and the adhesive is at least initially cured to hold the lens relativeto the PCB and in optical alignment with the imager. The adhesive andaligning and curing processes may utilize aspects of the systems andmethods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,542,451 and 9,277,104, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the camera module may include an adjustable focus feature,such as by utilizing a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS). Forexample, the camera may include a control device in the housing thatreceives a controlling signal (such as responsive to a user input or anautomatic control signal or the like) and adjusts a position of theimager relative to the lens to establish the desired or selected orappropriate focus or focal length of the camera, such as by utilizingaspects of the cameras described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,142,532 and/or U.S.Publication No. US-2017-0048463, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

The camera module may utilize aspects of the cameras and connectorsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,896,039; 9,871,971; 9,596,387; 9,233,641;9,077,098; 8,994,878 and/or 7,965,336, and/or U.S. Publication Nos.US-2009-0244361; US-2013-0242099; US-2014-0373345; US-2015-0222795;US-2015-0266430; US-2015-0365569; US-2016-0037028; US-2016-0243987;US-2016-0268716; US-2017-0133811; US-2017-0201661; US-2017-0295306;US-2017-0302829 and/or US-2018-0098033, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

The system includes an image processor operable to process image datacaptured by the camera or cameras, such as for detecting objects orother vehicles or pedestrians or the like in the field of view of one ormore of the cameras. For example, the image processor may comprise animage processing chip selected from the EYEQ family of image processingchips available from Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd. of Jerusalem,Israel, and may include object detection software (such as the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,855,755; 7,720,580 and/or 7,038,577, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), andmay analyze image data to detect vehicles and/or other objects.Responsive to such image processing, and when an object or other vehicleis detected, the system may generate an alert to the driver of thevehicle and/or may generate an overlay at the displayed image tohighlight or enhance display of the detected object or vehicle, in orderto enhance the driver's awareness of the detected object or vehicle orhazardous condition during a driving maneuver of the equipped vehicle.

The vehicle may include any type of sensor or sensors, such as imagingsensors or radar sensors or lidar sensors or ultrasonic sensors or thelike. The imaging sensor or camera may capture image data for imageprocessing and may comprise any suitable camera or sensing device, suchas, for example, a two dimensional array of a plurality of photosensorelements arranged in at least 640 columns and 480 rows (at least a640×480 imaging array, such as a megapixel imaging array or the like),with a respective lens focusing images onto respective portions of thearray. The photosensor array may comprise a plurality of photosensorelements arranged in a photosensor array having rows and columns.Preferably, the imaging array has at least 300,000 photosensor elementsor pixels, more preferably at least 500,000 photosensor elements orpixels and more preferably at least 1 million photosensor elements orpixels. The imaging array may capture color image data, such as viaspectral filtering at the array, such as via an RGB (red, green andblue) filter or via a red/red complement filter or such as via an RCC(red, clear, clear) filter or the like. The logic and control circuit ofthe imaging sensor may function in any known manner, and the imageprocessing and algorithmic processing may comprise any suitable meansfor processing the images and/or image data.

For example, the vision system and/or processing and/or camera and/orcircuitry may utilize aspects described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,233,641;9,146,898; 9,174,574; 9,090,234; 9,077,098; 8,818,042; 8,886,401;9,077,962; 9,068,390; 9,140,789; 9,092,986; 9,205,776; 8,917,169;8,694,224; 7,005,974; 5,760,962; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,949,331;6,222,447; 6,302,545; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,523,964; 6,611,202;6,201,642; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 6,802,617; 6,806,452;6,822,563; 6,891,563; 6,946,978; 7,859,565; 5,550,677; 5,670,935;6,636,258; 7,145,519; 7,161,616; 7,230,640; 7,248,283; 7,295,229;7,301,466; 7,592,928; 7,881,496; 7,720,580; 7,038,577; 6,882,287;5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S. Publication Nos.US-2014-0340510; US-2014-0313339; US-2014-0347486; US-2014-0320658;US-2014-0336876; US-2014-0307095; US-2014-0327774; US-2014-0327772;US-2014-0320636; US-2014-0293057; US-2014-0309884; US-2014-0226012;US-2014-0293042; US-2014-0218535; US-2014-0218535; US-2014-0247354;US-2014-0247355; US-2014-0247352; US-2014-0232869; US-2014-0211009;US-2014-0160276; US-2014-0168437; US-2014-0168415; US-2014-0160291;US-2014-0152825; US-2014-0139676; US-2014-0138140; US-2014-0104426;US-2014-0098229; US-2014-0085472; US-2014-0067206; US-2014-0049646;US-2014-0052340; US-2014-0025240; US-2014-0028852; US-2014-005907;US-2013-0314503; US-2013-0298866; US-2013-0222593; US-2013-0300869;US-2013-0278769; US-2013-0258077; US-2013-0258077; US-2013-0242099;US-2013-0215271; US-2013-0141578 and/or US-2013-0002873, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The systemmay communicate with other communication systems via any suitable means,such as by utilizing aspects of the systems described in InternationalPublication Nos. WO/2010/144900; WO 2013/043661 and/or WO 2013/081985,and/or U.S. Pat. No. 9,126,525, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments canbe carried out without departing from the principles of the invention,which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent lawincluding the doctrine of equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicular camera module for a visionsystem of a vehicle, the vehicular camera module comprising: a housingcomprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion; whereinthe front housing portion includes a lens holder that accommodates alens assembly therein, the lens assembly including at least one opticalelement; a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a circuit boardsubstrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side,wherein the circuit board comprises electronic circuitry disposed at thecircuit board substrate, and wherein an imager and electronic componentsof the electronic circuitry are disposed at the first side of thecircuit board substrate; a thermal interface material molded at an innersurface of the front housing portion; wherein the front housing portion,with the thermal interface material molded thereat, is disposed at thecircuit board, and wherein, with the lens assembly optically alignedwith the imager at the first side of the circuit board substrate, thecircuit board is attached at the front housing portion; wherein thethermal interface material is formed to interface with the electroniccomponents at the first side of the circuit board substrate when thefront housing portion is attached at the circuit board; wherein the rearhousing portion is mated with the front housing portion to encase thecircuit board within the housing; a connector element in electricalconnection with the electronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein,with the rear housing portion mated with the front housing portion, theconnector element is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connectorelement is configured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness ofa vehicle to electrically connect the wire harness to the electroniccircuitry of the circuit board when the vehicular camera module ismounted at the vehicle; and wherein the thermal interface materialcomprises a thermally conductive rubber over-mold that is molded over atleast a portion of the inner surface of said front housing portion. 2.The vehicular camera module of claim 1, wherein the thermal interfacematerial is contoured so as to interface with electronic components ofdifferent heights at the first side of the circuit board substrate. 3.The vehicular camera module of claim 2, wherein the thermal interfacematerial contacts the circuit board substrate.
 4. The vehicular cameramodule of claim 2, wherein the thermal interface material is molded atthe inner surface of the front housing portion and has a customgeometric form that corresponds with the shape of the electroniccomponents at the first side of the circuit board substrate, and whereinthe thermal interface material is pressed against the circuit board whenthe front housing portion is attached at the circuit board duringassembly of the vehicular camera module.
 5. A vehicular camera modulefor a vision system of a vehicle, the vehicular camera modulecomprising: a housing comprising a front housing portion and a rearhousing portion; wherein the front housing portion includes a lensholder that accommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assemblyincluding at least one optical element; a circuit board, the circuitboard comprising a circuit board substrate having a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, wherein the circuit board compriseselectronic circuitry disposed at the circuit board substrate, andwherein an imager and electronic components of the electronic circuitryare disposed at the first side of the circuit board substrate; a thermalinterface material molded at an inner surface of the front housingportion; wherein the front housing portion, with the thermal interfacematerial molded thereat, is disposed at the circuit board, and wherein,with the lens assembly optically aligned with the imager at the firstside of the circuit board substrate, the circuit board is attached atthe front housing portion; wherein the thermal interface material isformed to interface with the electronic components at the first side ofthe circuit board substrate when the front housing portion is attachedat the circuit board; wherein the rear housing portion is mated with thefront housing portion to encase the circuit board within the housing; aconnector element in electrical connection with the electronic circuitryof the circuit board, wherein, with the rear housing portion mated withthe front housing portion, the connector element is at the rear housingportion; wherein the connector element is configured to connect to aconnector end of a wire harness of a vehicle to electrically connect thewire harness to the electronic circuitry of the circuit board when thevehicular camera module is mounted at the vehicle; and wherein theelectronic circuitry of the circuit board comprises electroniccomponents at the second side of the circuit board substrate, andwherein another thermal interface material is molded at the rear housingportion and interfaces with the electronic components at the second sideof the circuit board substrate when the rear housing portion is matedwith the front housing portion.
 6. The vehicular camera module of claim5, wherein the other thermal interface material has a custom geometricform that corresponds with the shapes of the electronic components atthe second side of the circuit board substrate, and wherein the thermalinterface material is pressed against the circuit board when the rearhousing portion is mated with the front housing portion during assemblyof the vehicular camera module.
 7. The vehicular camera module of claim5, wherein the other thermal interface material is contoured so as tointerface with electronic components of different heights at the secondside of the circuit board substrate.
 8. A vehicular camera module for avision system of a vehicle, the vehicular camera module comprising: ahousing comprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion;wherein the front housing portion includes a lens holder thataccommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assembly including atleast one optical element; a circuit board, the circuit board comprisinga circuit board substrate having a first side and a second side oppositethe first side, wherein the circuit board comprises electronic circuitrydisposed at the circuit board substrate, and wherein an imager andelectronic components of the electronic circuitry are disposed at thefirst side of the circuit board substrate; a thermal interface materialmolded at an inner surface of the front housing portion; wherein thefront housing portion, with the thermal interface material moldedthereat, is disposed at the circuit board, and wherein, with the lensassembly optically aligned with the imager at the first side of thecircuit board substrate, the circuit board is attached at the fronthousing portion; wherein the thermal interface material is formed tointerface with the electronic components at the first side of thecircuit board substrate when the front housing portion is attached atthe circuit board; wherein the rear housing portion is mated with thefront housing portion to encase the circuit board within the housing; aconnector element in electrical connection with the electronic circuitryof the circuit board, wherein, with the rear housing portion mated withthe front housing portion, the connector element is at the rear housingportion; wherein the connector element is configured to connect to aconnector end of a wire harness of a vehicle to electrically connect thewire harness to the electronic circuitry of the circuit board when thevehicular camera module is mounted at the vehicle; and wherein thethermal interface material comprises a deformable material, and whereinthe thermal interface material conforms to electronic components at thefirst side of the circuit board substrate when the rear housing portionis mated with the front housing portion to encase the circuit board. 9.A vehicular camera module for a vision system of a vehicle, thevehicular camera module comprising: a housing comprising a front housingportion and a rear housing portion; wherein the front housing portionincludes a lens holder that accommodates a lens assembly therein, thelens assembly including at least one optical element; a circuit board,the circuit board comprising a circuit board substrate having a firstside and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the circuitboard comprises electronic circuitry disposed at the circuit boardsubstrate, and wherein an imager and electronic components of theelectronic circuitry are disposed at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate; a thermal interface material molded at an inner surface ofthe front housing portion; wherein the front housing portion, with thethermal interface material molded thereat, is disposed at the circuitboard, and wherein, with the lens assembly optically aligned with theimager at the first side of the circuit board substrate, the circuitboard is attached at the front housing portion; wherein the thermalinterface material is formed to interface with the electronic componentsat the first side of the circuit board substrate when the front housingportion is attached at the circuit board; wherein the rear housingportion is mated with the front housing portion to encase the circuitboard within the housing; a connector element in electrical connectionwith the electronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein, with therear housing portion mated with the front housing portion, the connectorelement is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connector element isconfigured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness of a vehicleto electrically connect the wire harness to the electronic circuitry ofthe circuit board when the vehicular camera module is mounted at thevehicle; and wherein the vehicular camera module is configured to bedisposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle so as to have a field ofview exterior of the vehicle.
 10. A vehicular camera module for a visionsystem of a vehicle, the vehicular camera module comprising: a housingcomprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion; whereinthe front housing portion includes a lens holder that accommodates alens assembly therein, the lens assembly including at least one opticalelement; a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a circuit boardsubstrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side,wherein the circuit board comprises electronic circuitry disposed at thecircuit board substrate, and wherein an imager and electronic componentsof the electronic circuitry are disposed at the first side of thecircuit board substrate; a thermal interface material molded at an innersurface of the front housing portion; wherein the front housing portion,with the thermal interface material molded thereat, is disposed at thecircuit board, and wherein, with the lens assembly optically alignedwith the imager at the first side of the circuit board substrate, thecircuit board is attached at the front housing portion; wherein thethermal interface material is formed to interface with the electroniccomponents at the first side of the circuit board substrate when thefront housing portion is attached at the circuit board; wherein the rearhousing portion is mated with the front housing portion to encase thecircuit board within the housing; a connector element in electricalconnection with the electronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein,with the rear housing portion mated with the front housing portion, theconnector element is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connectorelement is configured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness ofa vehicle to electrically connect the wire harness to the electroniccircuitry of the circuit board when the vehicular camera module ismounted at the vehicle; and wherein the connector element comprises acoaxial connector element configured to electrically connect to acoaxial connector end of a coaxial wire harness of the vehicle.
 11. Avehicular camera module for a vision system of a vehicle, the vehicularcamera module comprising: a housing comprising a front housing portionand a rear housing portion; wherein the front housing portion includes alens holder that accommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assemblyincluding at least one optical element; a circuit board, the circuitboard comprising a circuit board substrate having a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, wherein the circuit board compriseselectronic circuitry disposed at the circuit board substrate, andwherein an imager of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the firstside of the circuit board substrate, and wherein at least one electroniccomponent of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the second side ofthe circuit board substrate; wherein the front housing portion isdisposed at the circuit board, and wherein, with the lens assemblyoptically aligned with the imager at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate, the circuit board is attached at the front housing portion;wherein the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portionto encase the circuit board within the housing; a thermal interfacematerial molded at an inner surface of the rear housing portion; whereinthe thermal interface material is formed to interface with the at leastone electronic component at the second side of the circuit boardsubstrate when the rear housing portion is mated with the front housingportion; a connector element in electrical connection with theelectronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein, with the rearhousing portion mated with the front housing portion, the connectorelement is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connector element isconfigured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness of a vehicleto electrically connect the wire harness to the electronic circuitry ofthe circuit board when the vehicular camera module is mounted at thevehicle; and wherein the thermal interface material comprises athermally conductive rubber over-mold that is molded over at least aportion of the inner surface of the rear housing portion.
 12. Avehicular camera module for a vision system of a vehicle, the vehicularcamera module comprising: a housing comprising a front housing portionand a rear housing portion; wherein the front housing portion includes alens holder that accommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assemblyincluding at least one optical element; a circuit board, the circuitboard comprising a circuit board substrate having a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, wherein the circuit board compriseselectronic circuitry disposed at the circuit board substrate, andwherein an imager of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the firstside of the circuit board substrate, and wherein at least one electroniccomponent of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the second side ofthe circuit board substrate; wherein the front housing portion isdisposed at the circuit board, and wherein, with the lens assemblyoptically aligned with the imager at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate, the circuit board is attached at the front housing portion;wherein the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portionto encase the circuit board within the housing; a thermal interfacematerial molded at an inner surface of the rear housing portion; whereinthe thermal interface material is formed to interface with the at leastone electronic component at the second side of the circuit boardsubstrate when the rear housing portion is mated with the front housingportion; a connector element in electrical connection with theelectronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein, with the rearhousing portion mated with the front housing portion, the connectorelement is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connector element isconfigured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness of a vehicleto electrically connect the wire harness to the electronic circuitry ofthe circuit board when the vehicular camera module is mounted at thevehicle; and wherein the thermal interface material is pressed againstthe circuit board and conforms with the at least one electroniccomponent at the second side of the circuit board substrate when therear housing portion is mated with the front housing portion.
 13. Avehicular camera module for a vision system of a vehicle, the vehicularcamera module comprising: a housing comprising a front housing portionand a rear housing portion; wherein the front housing portion includes alens holder that accommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assemblyincluding at least one optical element; a circuit board, the circuitboard comprising a circuit board substrate having a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, wherein the circuit board compriseselectronic circuitry disposed at the circuit board substrate, andwherein an imager of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the firstside of the circuit board substrate, and wherein at least one electroniccomponent of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the second side ofthe circuit board substrate; wherein the front housing portion isdisposed at the circuit board, and wherein, with the lens assemblyoptically aligned with the imager at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate, the circuit board is attached at the front housing portion;wherein the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portionto encase the circuit board within the housing; a thermal interfacematerial molded at an inner surface of the rear housing portion; whereinthe thermal interface material is formed to interface with the at leastone electronic component at the second side of the circuit boardsubstrate when the rear housing portion is mated with the front housingportion; a connector element in electrical connection with theelectronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein, with the rearhousing portion mated with the front housing portion, the connectorelement is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connector element isconfigured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness of a vehicleto electrically connect the wire harness to the electronic circuitry ofthe circuit board when the vehicular camera module is mounted at thevehicle; and wherein the thermal interface material is contoured so asto interface with electronic components of different heights at thesecond side of the circuit board substrate.
 14. A vehicular cameramodule for a vision system of a vehicle, the vehicular camera modulecomprising: a housing comprising a front housing portion and a rearhousing portion; wherein the front housing portion includes a lensholder that accommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assemblyincluding at least one optical element; a circuit board, the circuitboard comprising a circuit board substrate having a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, wherein the circuit board compriseselectronic circuitry disposed at the circuit board substrate, andwherein an imager of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the firstside of the circuit board substrate, and wherein at least one electroniccomponent of the electronic circuitry is disposed at the second side ofthe circuit board substrate; wherein the front housing portion isdisposed at the circuit board, and wherein, with the lens assemblyoptically aligned with the imager at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate, the circuit board is attached at the front housing portion;wherein the rear housing portion is mated with the front housing portionto encase the circuit board within the housing; a thermal interfacematerial molded at an inner surface of the rear housing portion; whereinthe thermal interface material is formed to interface with the at leastone electronic component at the second side of the circuit boardsubstrate when the rear housing portion is mated with the front housingportion; a connector element in electrical connection with theelectronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein, with the rearhousing portion mated with the front housing portion, the connectorelement is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connector element isconfigured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness of a vehicleto electrically connect the wire harness to the electronic circuitry ofthe circuit board when the vehicular camera module is mounted at thevehicle; and wherein the thermal interface material contacts the secondside of the circuit board substrate.
 15. A vehicular camera module for avision system of a vehicle, the vehicular camera module comprising: ahousing comprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion;wherein the front housing portion includes a lens holder thataccommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assembly including atleast one optical element; a circuit board, the circuit board comprisinga circuit board substrate having a first side and a second side oppositethe first side, wherein the circuit board comprises electronic circuitrydisposed at the circuit board substrate, and wherein an imager of theelectronic circuitry is disposed at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate, and wherein at least one electronic component of theelectronic circuitry is disposed at the second side of the circuit boardsubstrate; wherein the front housing portion is disposed at the circuitboard, and wherein, with the lens assembly optically aligned with theimager at the first side of the circuit board substrate, the circuitboard is attached at the front housing portion; wherein the rear housingportion is mated with the front housing portion to encase the circuitboard within the housing; a thermal interface material molded at aninner surface of the rear housing portion; wherein the thermal interfacematerial is formed to interface with the at least one electroniccomponent at the second side of the circuit board substrate when therear housing portion is mated with the front housing portion; aconnector element in electrical connection with the electronic circuitryof the circuit board, wherein, with the rear housing portion mated withthe front housing portion, the connector element is at the rear housingportion; wherein the connector element is configured to connect to aconnector end of a wire harness of a vehicle to electrically connect thewire harness to the electronic circuitry of the circuit board when thevehicular camera module is mounted at the vehicle; and wherein thethermal interface material has a custom geometric form that correspondswith the shape of the at least one electronic component at the secondside of the circuit board substrate, and wherein the thermal interfacematerial is pressed against the circuit board when the rear housingportion is mated with the front housing portion during assembly of thevehicular camera module.
 16. A vehicular camera module for a visionsystem of a vehicle, the vehicular camera module comprising: a housingcomprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion; whereinthe front housing portion includes a lens holder that accommodates alens assembly therein, the lens assembly including at least one opticalelement; a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a circuit boardsubstrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side,wherein the circuit board comprises electronic circuitry disposed at thecircuit board substrate, and wherein an imager of the electroniccircuitry is disposed at the first side of the circuit board substrate,and wherein at least one electronic component of the electroniccircuitry is disposed at the second side of the circuit board substrate;wherein the front housing portion is disposed at the circuit board, andwherein, with the lens assembly optically aligned with the imager at thefirst side of the circuit board substrate, the circuit board is attachedat the front housing portion; wherein the rear housing portion is matedwith the front housing portion to encase the circuit board within thehousing; a thermal interface material molded at an inner surface of therear housing portion; wherein the thermal interface material is formedto interface with the at least one electronic component at the secondside of the circuit board substrate when the rear housing portion ismated with the front housing portion; a connector element in electricalconnection with the electronic circuitry of the circuit board, wherein,with the rear housing portion mated with the front housing portion, theconnector element is at the rear housing portion; wherein the connectorelement is configured to connect to a connector end of a wire harness ofa vehicle to electrically connect the wire harness to the electroniccircuitry of the circuit board when the vehicular camera module ismounted at the vehicle; and wherein the thermal interface materialcomprises a deformable material, and wherein the thermal interfacematerial conforms to the at least one electronic component at the secondside of the circuit board substrate when the rear housing portion ismated with the front housing portion.
 17. A vehicular camera module fora vision system of a vehicle, the vehicular camera module comprising: ahousing comprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion;wherein the front housing portion includes a lens holder thataccommodates a lens assembly therein, the lens assembly including atleast one optical element; a circuit board, the circuit board comprisinga circuit board substrate having a first side and a second side oppositethe first side, wherein the circuit board comprises electronic circuitrydisposed at the circuit board substrate, and wherein an imager andelectronic components of the electronic circuitry are disposed at thefirst side of the circuit board substrate, and wherein at least oneelectronic component of the electronic circuitry is disposed at thesecond side of the circuit board substrate; a thermal interface materialmolded over at least a portion of an inner surface of said front housingportion; wherein the front housing portion, with the thermal interfacematerial molded thereat, is disposed at the circuit board, and wherein,with the lens assembly optically aligned with the imager at the firstside of the circuit board substrate, the circuit board is attached atthe front housing portion; wherein the thermal interface material isformed to interface with the electronic components at the first side ofthe circuit board substrate when the front housing portion is attachedat the circuit board; wherein the thermal interface material comprises adeformable material, and wherein the thermal interface material conformsto the electronic components at the first side of the circuit boardsubstrate when the front housing portion is attached at the circuitboard; wherein the rear housing portion is mated with the front housingportion to encase the circuit board within the housing; another thermalinterface material molded at an inner surface of the rear housingportion; wherein the other thermal interface material is formed tointerface with the at least one electronic component at the second sideof the circuit board substrate when the rear housing portion is matedwith the front housing portion; wherein the other thermal interfacematerial comprises a deformable material, and wherein the other thermalinterface material conforms to the at least one electronic component atthe second side of the circuit board substrate when the rear housingportion is mated with the front housing portion; a connector element inelectrical connection with the electronic circuitry of the circuitboard, wherein, with the rear housing portion mated with the fronthousing portion, the connector element is at the rear housing portion;wherein the connector element is configured to connect to a connectorend of a wire harness of a vehicle to electrically connect the wireharness to the electronic circuitry of the circuit board when thevehicular camera module is mounted at the vehicle; and wherein thethermal interface material and the other thermal interface materialcontact the circuit board substrate.